Ph.D. Psychology: Consciousness, Spirituality, and Integrative Health (CSIH) Specialization

Overview of Program

Students in the Department of Humanistic Psychology may opt to declare a Specialization in Consciousness, Spirituality, and Integrative Health (CSIH). Students may select many paths through this Specialization based upon their interests. While CSIH Specialization is not required to earn the degree, it will be listed on the transcript if students formally declare CSIH Specialization and complete its requirements. Because CSIH Specialization requirements are subject to change, each student's CSIH Specialization requirements are established at the time when they formally declare CSIH Specialization.
 
The CSIH Specialization takes an interdisciplinary and integrative (psyche, mind, body, and spirit) approach to understanding individual, collective, cultural/transcultural, mythic, cosmological, and transpersonal perspectives on multidimensional aspects of human identity and destiny, consciousness evolution, biopsychosocial-spiritual and cultural transformation, spiritual awakening and realization, healing, healthspan and vibrant longevity, calling, individuation and wholeness, wellness and well-being, and human flourishing. We believe that well-being, vitality, and health need to embrace all dimensions of human life. The integrated study of consciousness, spirituality, and integrative health offers unique ways of understanding individuals’ internal and external identity, growth, worlds, and lives as accessible through such pathways as disciplined consciousness exploration and calibration, consciousness studies, the world’s spiritual and wisdom traditions, healing arts, depth psychology, transpersonal psychology, energy medicine, healthspan and vibrant longevity, spiritual creativity, self-regulation and self-healing, hypnosis and imagery, the arts, personal mythology and dreamwork, and contemplative practices. In this context, students who wish are certainly able to focus their work on transpersonal psychology, transpersonal inquiry, and transpersonal practices, as well as on vibrant longevity and/or Exceptional Human Experiences (EHEs).  
 
The study of consciousness, psychology of consciousness, and consciousness evolution offers students  opportunities to explore various aspects of consciousness through approaches ranging from ethnography, autoethnography, and historiography to phenomenological, heuristic and Heuristic Self-Search Inquiry, hermeneutic, and art-based explorations of work and community life, interpersonal relationships, spiritual beliefs and practices, deeply evocative spiritual/transpersonal experiences, optimal healthspan, healthful and vibrant longevity, culture, and social action. Given the diverse array of CSIH Specialization course offerings, in close conversation with Dr. Vasiliki Georgoulas-Sherry, our Psychology Faculty Academic Advisor, students are able to incorporate in their program plans courses that support their individual scholar-practitioner calling, interests, and career goals. The study of spirituality supports students who want to pursue work and/or research in areas such as pastoral care, spiritual guidance, spiritual mentoring, and transpersonal consulting and coaching or who want to integrate their understanding of the spiritual dimension of human life into another profession or field. Faculty members work with students to focus their studies in ways that best meet their academic, professional, personal, and transpersonal goals. CSIH Specialization allows students to focus on the study of interdisciplinary and integrative approaches to self-discovery, transpersonal development, health, healing, healthspan and vibrant longevity, and well-being that have not necessarily been regarded as standard within mainstream medical and psychological paradigms and care. These approaches include spiritual, wisdom, esoteric, mystical, and Earth-and-Cosmos honoring traditions and practices. Additional alternative health and well-being perspectives, approaches, and practices relevant to psychological, psychospiritual, and physical health and vitality that are studied include personal mythology and dreamwork, yoga, meditation, mindfulness, prayer, contemplation, psychomythology and mythopoetics, energy medicine, healthspan and vibrant longevity, guided imagery, clinical hypnosis, Holotropic Breathwork, biofeedback, Enneagram, the arts, and indigenous healing. Students may also explore spirituality, consciousness, and consciousness calibration research and practice, as well as their role in physical, psychological, psychospiritual, cosmological and attitudinal resilience and vitality; optimal healthspan and robust longevity; health; personal and transpersonal relationships; and organizational mythology, vision, culture, and flourishing.  
 
Although not intended as preparation for licensure, studies in CSIH Specialization can be applied to the work of psychologists and other licensed mental health professionals. Studies can also be applied to transpersonal teaching and research, scholar-practitioner writing, health care, healthspan, innovation and longevity studies, peace work, pastoral care, spiritual mentoring and guidance, conflict resolution and diplomacy, education, consulting, coaching, and/or organizational work. 

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Critical Thinking: Graduates will demonstrate advanced critical thinking skills, utilizing a humanistic lens to analyze complex psychological phenomena and apply theoretical frameworks to real-world contexts. 
2. Cultural Competence: Graduates will possess cultural competence, displaying an understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures, experiences, and worldviews, and integrating this awareness into their professional practice. 
3. Ethical Awareness: Graduates will exhibit a strong ethical awareness, adhering to ethical guidelines in their research, teaching, and practice, and demonstrating a commitment to the well-being and autonomy of individuals and communities. 
4. Research Proficiency: Graduates will develop proficiency in conducting rigorous research informed by humanistic, existential, transpersonal, and phenomenological perspectives, employing qualitative and quantitative methodologies to advance the field of humanistic psychology. 
5. Social Justice Advocacy: Graduates will engage in social justice advocacy, actively promoting equity, inclusivity, and social change by addressing systemic disparities, advocating for marginalized populations, and contributing to the creation of a just and sustainable society. 
6. Applied Skills: Graduates will possess practical skills and interventions grounded in humanistic psychology, enabling them to facilitate personal growth, foster resilience, and promote well-being in various settings, including research, educational, community, and organizational contexts. 

Specializations

Ph.D. Psychology with Specialization:

Any student enrolled in the Ph.D. degree program in Psychology may opt to declare one of the Specializations (and, in some instances, a dual Specialization) offered through the HP department. Specializations are available to students at both the Master and Doctoral levels; they include: 

• Creativity, Innovation, & Leadership (CIL)
• Consciousness, Spirituality, and Integrative Health (CSIH) 
• Existential and Humanistic Psychology (EHP) 
• Psychophysiology (PHI) 

College, Degree Program, or Specialization change
 
Students who wish to change their degree program will be reevaluated by the Department Chair as to the appropriateness of admission to that new program of study. If admitted, those students will be held accountable (1) to the degree program requirements as specified for the academic year in which such a change of enrollment is granted, and, if applicable, (2) to Specialization (or a dual Specialization) requirements that are in place when the student formally declares a Specialization (or a dual Specialization). For those wanting to change their Specialization, the new Specialization Coordinator will review the student’s objectives for acceptance, and the Department Chair approves the change. In all cases, where possible, current Saybrook completed courses will be considered for application toward the new degree program and/or specialization. Students who change degree programs will have their transfer credit evaluated again by the Department Chair of the new program. Transfer credit awarded is not guaranteed to apply to the new program. 
 
M.A. Psychology to Ph.D. Psychology

While in the M.A. in Psychology degree program at Saybrook University, students may decide to apply to continue to the Psychology doctoral program. Once such students have completed the modified admissions process to the doctoral program, they may be accepted on the condition of completion of the M.A. degree requirements (i.e., successful completion of the thesis or project and all other degree requirements). Students who are accepted on the condition of completion of the M.A. degree may take an additional 9 credits of coursework while completing the thesis or project. If the student is admitted to the doctoral program, these 9 credits will be considered toward the Ph.D. degree. If the student does not continue to the Ph.D. program, those additional credits completed are awarded toward the M.A. degree. That is, admission into the doctoral program does not commence until the M.A. is complete. Such students will be required to adhere to the University catalog that is in place when they matriculate into to the doctoral program (i.e., after completion of the thesis/project), not the catalog in place at the time of their conditional acceptance into the Ph.D. program. In terms of transfer credits for students once they have attained the M.A. in Psychology at Saybrook, a maximum of 30 credit hours may be applied toward the Ph.D. Psychology program. 

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Ph.D. Psychology program with specializations in Creativity, Innovation, & Leadership (CIL), Consciousness, Spirituality, and Integrative Health (CSIH), and Existential and Humanistic Psychology (EHP) are well-positioned for diverse and impactful career opportunities. With a Ph.D. in Psychology, students can pursue academic positions as professors or researchers in universities and research institutions, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in their specialized areas. They can also work as consultants, trainers, and/or leaders in organizations, utilizing their expertise in creativity, innovation, and leadership to foster positive change and growth. The CSIH Specialization opens doors to careers in holistic health education, guidance, consulting, and mentoring; consciousness and spirituality teaching and research; and integrative health/settings, wellness centers and industry, or in integrative health, promoting well-being and facilitating individuals’ spiritual and conscious growth, healthspan, and vibrant longevity. The EHP specialization opens doors to careers as humanistic researchers, psychology educators, or consultants, providing compassionate and existential guidance to individuals seeking personal and professional growth and fulfillment. Additionally, Ph.D. holders may choose to establish their own private practice, offering specialized services in their respective areas of expertise. With their advanced knowledge, research skills, and specialization-specific training, graduates of the Ph.D. program are equipped to make significant contributions to the field of psychology and positively impact individuals, communities, and organizations.
 
Our Ph.D. Psychology program is intended for professionals who wish to pursue nonclinical careers or expand on their existing licenses. This program is not designed to prepare graduates to qualify for clinical licensure or certification. 

Program Requirements

Credits/Hours

The Ph.D. program requires a total of 66 earned credits, which may vary based on the Specialization (or, in some instances, a dual Specialization) chosen. These credits encompass a rigorous curriculum that includes core courses, specialized coursework in the chosen areas of focus, research methodology and analysis, and the completion of the essays and the dissertation phases. Through a combination of theoretical exploration, experiential learning, and research opportunities, students gain the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary for success in their future careers. The credit units and hours invested in the Ph.D. degree ensure that students receive a comprehensive and well-rounded education, empowering them to make significant contributions to the field of psychology.

Length of Program

The degree completion time for a full-time student enrolled in the Ph.D. Psychology program following the default course sequence will range from 5 - 6 years. Any breaks in enrollment and/or reduced enrollment may impact completion time. 

Required Courses

Elective Courses